Fire fighting apparatus or the like and controls therefor



D 1962 D. E. BRODERSON ET AL 3,06

FIRE FIGHTING APPARATUS OR THE LIKE AND CONTROLS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 8, 1960 l 3 Sheets-Sheet l V A!" INVEIT T JL M M A 770/?11/15 Dean B Robe/'7 5. Jen/(7)75 BY Arfhur 0. Income 1962 D. E. BRODERSON ETAI. 3,0 ,7 6

FIRE FIGHTING APPARATUS OR THE LIKE AND CONTROLS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 8, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 3 5 R n 2% m N/ r W 6 6 0 W mm 55.0. m 5 7 m 4 05 Y B 3,@fi6,75fi Patented Dec. 4, 1962 ice FIRE FIGHTENG APPARATUS R Tim LIKE AND CONTRGLS THEREFOR Dean E. Broderson and Robert B. Jenkins, Kansas City,

and Arthur D. Moore, Latte Lotawanna, Mo, assignors to Pitman Manufacturing Company, Grandview, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Feb. 8, 1960, Ser. No. 7,412

9 Claims. (Cl. 1822) This invention relates to a novel mobile unit having an elevatable and traveling load-supporting carriage or stage on which a person may be raised to a predetermined elevation to more efficiently perform a desired function. More specifically, the invention is concerned with fire fighting equipment provided with an aerial platform mounted on swingable boom mechanism permitting a fireman carried by the platform to be elevated to a desired position so that the fire fighter may direct a stream of water onto the burning structure from a more advantageous position than could be afforded at ground level.

It is the primary object of the instant invention to provide a mobile vehicle having an elevatable and traveling aerial platform thereon wherein such platform has novel control means, permitting a fireman supported thereby to control the position of the platform in a simple and efiicient manner which does not require manipulations that would limit the attention which the fire fighter must give to the stream of water which is being directed onto the fire from suitable hose or conduit structure carried by the platform. It is to be understood that the fire fighter carrying platform is mounted on one end of boom construction which permits the elevation as well as the disposition of the platform relative to the supporting vehicle to be changed at the will of the fireman, and in order to permit direction of the water onto the fire from the most advantageous location. It is, therefore, another'significant object of the invention to provide improved mechanism for controlling swinging movement of the boom units carrying the platform, permitting the fire fighter to change the disposition of the platform by operating a single control handle with one hand, thereby freeing his other hand for changing the direction of the water nozzle as necessary in order to maintain the stream of water on a particular area of the fire, even as the boom is being shifted from one position to another location thereof.

Also an important object of the invention is to provide novel platform and boom control mechanism as referred to above wherein up and down as well as rotational movement of the boom units and the platform may be changed by the fireman by the simple expedient of grasping the control handle of the present improved control mechanism and moving such control handle either in a fore and aft direction, up and down or rotated side to side about a horizontal axis to thereby effect corresponding movements of the platform.

An additional important object of the invention is to provide structure in association with the boom control mechanism serving to prevent movement of the platform to locations which would overbalance the elevatable structure and thereby tend to tip the fire fighting equipment over onto its side by virtue of inadvertent movement of the platform beyond predetermined locations.

Another important aim of the invention is to provide fire fighting equipment or the like wherein parallel linkage means is employedfor securing the aerial platform to the normally uppermost end of the-upper boom to maintain such platform in a generally horizontal position, regardless of the elevation of the same or the dis position of the platform relative to the supporting vehicle.

Another important advantage of the instant invention is to provide fire fighting equipment of the type defined wherein the control mechanism permitting selective raising and lowering of the aerial platform as well as rotation thereof about a fixed vertical axis on the vehicle, is disposed on the platform so as to not in any way interfere with the water hose structure carried thereby, and with the control mechanism being completely enclosed so that water cannot collect thereon and freeze during cold weather to interfere with normal movement of the platform in response to actuation of the instant control mechanism as set forth above.

A further important object of the invention is to provide control mechanism for raising or lowering the boom as well as pivoting the same about a fixed vertical axis, which is operably connected to suitable hydraulic valve units that are disposed in parallel, side by side relationship to simplify the mechanical components of the control mechanism, materially lessen the cost of the entire structure and permit utilization of commercially available, substantially conventional hydraulic valve components which have been proven to have a long useful life and are free from frequent breakdown. These factors are important because of the necessity of having the fire fighting equipment in condition for utilization at all tmes and under all types of weather conditions.

Other important objects and advantages of the instant fire fighting equipment will become obvious or be explained in greater detail hereinafter, as exemplified by the fact that the boom and platform unit may be shifted into a folded condition directly overlying the vehicle for over the road operation of the equipment from the place of storage thereof to the site of the fire. These advantages and novel details of construction will be fully set forth hereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of fire fighting equipment having an aerial platform mounted on jackknife-type boom structure with the position of the aerial platform being controllable from novel mechanism mounted on the same;

FfG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view of the aerial platform portion of the fire fighting equipment, with certain parts of the structure being broken away to reveal details of construction thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, bottom view, look: ing in an upward direction, of the platform shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, front elevational view of the platform as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical crosssectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3, of certain of the crank structure forming a part of the platform and boom control mechanism, with certain parts of the structure being broken away to reveal the components therebehind; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged, fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional views taken substantially on the lines 66 and 7-7 respectively of FIG. 4 and looking in the direction of corresponding arrows.

A vehicle 10 and preferably in the nature of a fire truck or the like comprises a main frame 12 supported on the ground 14 by front wheel and axle assembly 16 and rear wheel and axle assembly 18, with a cab control unit being provided at the forwardmost end of frame 12 and body unit 22 being located in overlying relationship to the rear portion of frame 12. Although forming no part of the instant invention, it can be appreciated that body 22 houses suitable water pump mechanism, may contain a quantity of water if desired, and also mounts a pair of stabilizers units 24 on opposed sides of wheel and axle assembly 18. Units 24 are extensible and thereby movable into engagement with the ground 14 as illustrated in FIG. 1, to thereby preclude movement of frame 12 toward ground 14 during operation of combination boom and aerial platform structure 26 mounted on frame 12.

As best shown in FIG. 1, structure 26 includes a main base unit 28 mounted on body 22 of vehicle to for ro tation about a vertical axis through base 28 and having a bifurcated upper end adapted to pivotally receive the lowermost end of a first boom 38 for swinging movement about the axis of pin means 32. A second boom 34 is pivotally joined to the extremity of boom 30 normally remote from vehicle 18 by pivot means 36 so that boom 34 may swing about the axis of pin means 36 relative to boom 30 as well as vehicle 10. An aerial platform broadly designated 38 is pivotally mounted on the uppermost extremity of boom 34 normally remote from boom 30 with parallel linkage (not illustrated in detail) associated with boom 34, and coupled to platform 38, maintaining the latter in a substantially horizontal position regardless of the relative positions of booms 3t? and 34 with respect to vehicle 18. This is clearly illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein it can be seen that platform 38 is disposed so that a man may stand in the same whether at the lowermost end of its path of travel in a folded condition as illustrated in the dotted lines, or at the uppermost end of its path of travel shown in full lines in the subject figure.

A hydraulic cylinder 44) pivotally secured to bracket 42 carried by base 28 adjacent the lower end thereof, has a reciprocable piston 44 which is pivotally connected to mounting bracket 46 secured to boom 38 intermediate the ends thereof. It is to be noted that cylinder 40 is of the double-acting type whereby upon reciprocation of piston 44, boom 30 i swung about the axis of pivot means 32 to thereby vary the elevation of aerial platform 38. Another double-acting, hydraulically actuated cylinder 48 is pivotally connected at one end thereof to a bracket 50 on the side of boom 38 opposed to cylinder 40, with vertically reciprocable piston 52 carried by cylinder 48 being pivotally joined to U-shaped frame 54. One leg 56 of frame 54 is coupled to boom 34 while the other leg 58 is joined to boom 38. Note that the outer extremity of piston 52 is pivotally connected to legs 56 and 58 at the zone of interconnection thereof defining the apex of triangular frame 54. Extension and retraction of piston 52 effects rotation of boom 34 about the axis of pivot means 36.

Although not illustrated, it is to be understood that additional double-acting, hydraulically actuated mechanism is provided in body 22 of vehicle 18 for rotating base 28 about a vertical axis as defined above.

Aerial platform 38 is provided with generally rectangular base structure 68 disposed in a horizontal position regardless of the elevation of platform 38. Base structure 60 includes a horizontal wall 64 supported by a number of parallel cross members 61 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which extend the full length of wall '64 from the front to the rear portion thereof, while a plurality of ribs 63 between each pair of cross members 61 are in perpendicular relationship to the latter and secured to the underface of wall 64. The outermost cross members 61 (not shown) form the sides of base structure 60 while a front vertical member 65 closes the forwardmost portion of structure 68. Guard rail structure 62, mounted on and extending upwardly from structure 68, presents a safety railing for the fireman when he is standing on the upper face of horizontal wall 64 of structure 60, as will be made clearer hereinafter. Boom mounting unit 66 includes a pair of opposed, identical, vertical, horizontally spaced side walls 68 secured to the innermost pair of cross members 61' and 61" of structure 60 as well as the rear portion of guard rails 62. Walls 68 serve as means for mounting horizontal pivot pins 70 which in turn pivotally receive corresponding parallel link members 72 mounted on boom 34. By virtue of parallel link members 72, wall 64 of housing 60 is maintained in a horizontal position as platform 38 is shifted up and down relative to vehicle 10.

Spaced members 88 secured to the underface of wall 64 in parallel relationship to and outboard of cross member 61' mount a horizontal plate 82 parallel with wall 64, spaced vertically therefrom and serving as means for mounting hydraulic valve mechanism broadly denominated 84.

Although mechanism 84 may contain a plurality of valve units, it is to be preferred that at least three units 86, 88 and 98 be provided, each having a horizontally reciprocable plunger 92 therein and extending outwardly of mechanism 84 as best shown in FIG. 3, and provided with a valve portion (not shown) for controlling fiow of hydraulic fluid through corresponding units 86, 88 and 98. It is to be pointed out that units 86-90 are of the type wherein spring means biases respective plungers 92 into a so-called neutral position wherein passage of fluid through respective valves 86, 88 and 90 is precluded. However, upon reciprocation of a corresponding plunger 92 in one direction and consequently, movement of the valve portion thereof in the same direction, hydraulic fluid is permitted to pass through a respective unit in one direction while shifting movement of the defined plunger in the opposite direction and past the neutral point of a corresponding valve portion, permits hydraulic fluid to flow in the opposite direction. Thus, it can be seen that reciprocation of plungers 92 in opposite directions determines the path of flow of fluid through units 86, 88 and 90.

Manually actuatable structure broadly numerated 94 is mounted on wall 64 of structure 60 adjacent the forwardmost part of guard rail structure 62 to permit selective actuation of plungers 92 carried by units 86, 88 and 90. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, structure 94 includes an upright, elongated, hollow housing 96, rectangular in transverse section, having a front wall 98, a rear wall 100, a horizontally disposed top wall 102 and open at the bottom thereof in direct communication with the underside of wall 64. A pair of parallel, upstanding plates 104 secured to the upper face of wall 102 and in horizontally spaced relationship, receive a transversely rectangular pivot element 106 which is pivotally secured at opposed ends thereof to corresponding plates 104 by pin means 188 extending therethrough and into corresponding openings in plates 104. An elongated, normally upright, transversely rectangular support 118 is secured to the normally uppermost face of pivot element 106 adjacent one of the plates 104, whereby upon swinging movement of support 110, element 106 is rotated about the axis of pin means 108. A generally U-shaped bracket 112 has a horizontally disposed bight 114 and a pair of parallel, upstanding legs 116 and 118, with the lower face of bight 114 being rigidly secured to the upper extremity of support adjacent leg 116 as best shown in FIG. 4. R0- tatable element 120 of a length substantially equal to the distance between legs 116 and 118 is positioned therebetween and is rotatable with respect to the latter by virtue of opposed pivot pins 122 secured to opposite extremities of element 120 and passing through corresponding legs 116 and 118. Gusset means 124 integral with the upwardly disposed portion of element 120 serves as means for mounting a horizontally disposed, generally rectangular plate 126 having a downwardly facing, circumferentially extending, outer, transversely right angle notch 128, for reasons to be explained hereinafter.

An elongated, tubular component 130 (FIG. 2) secured to the underface of plate 126 for movement there with rotatably receives the main section 132 of operating handle 134, it being noted that the latter is substantially J-shaped in configuration and has an outer curved segment 136 normally disposed in an upright position and receiving a handgrip 138 on the upper end thereof.

A portion of main section 132 of handle 134 remote from grip 138 extends outwardly of component 136, and a generally rectangular link 140 is secured to main section 132 for rotation therewith about the longitudinal axis of the latter. Pin 142 secured to the outer end of link 148, extending laterally therefrom in a direction away from component 138 and positioned with the axis thereof in parallel relationship to the axis of rotation of main section 132, serves as means for mounting a connector 144 (FIG. 4) which is rotatable about the axis of pin 142 and has a downwardly projecting section 146 which is adapted to be received within a bifurcated connector 1 -8, in turn connected to depending link 150. Pin means 152 extending through the legs of the bifurcated portion of connector 148 also passes through section 146 to thereby permit connector 148 and link 150 to pivot about the axis of pin 152 and thereby relative to connector 144.

Ear 154 secured to the underface of component 126 is pivotally coupled to an elongated connector 156 through a horizontal pivot pin 153, with an elongated link 160 being releasably joined to the lowermost extremity of connector 156.

A pair of upstanding, parallel, spaced, rectangularly shaped support elements 162 secured to the upper face of wall 182 of housing 96 pivotally receive a generally triangular element 164 pivotal about pin 166 extending through support elements 162, and the narrow end of element 164 permits the latter to swing in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis. Connector 168 releasably joined to the lowermost end of link 150 is pivotally coupled to element 164 remote from pin 166 by pivot pin 178 extending through element 164 and connector 168. Another generally triangular element 172 (FIG. 7) similar to component 164 is pivotally mounted on a pair of upright spaced mounting plates 174, with connector 176 on the lower end of link 168 being joined to the upper part of element 172 remote from the axis of pivoting thereof relative to support plates 174.

Three cranks 178, 188 and 182 are provided adjacent the lower end of housing 96, with U-shaped bracket 184 secured to the innermost face of wall 98 receiving the central portion of crank 178 therebetween, while pivot pin 186 passing through opposed legs of bracket 184 and the central part of crank 178 permits swinging movement of the latter about the horizontal axis of pin 186. Another lJ-shaped bracket 188 is secured to the inner face of wall 188 out of alignment with bracket 184 and pivotally mounts crank 188 intermediate the ends of the latter by virtue of pivot pin 198 extending through opposed legs of bracket 188 as well as crank 181). A third generally U-shaped bracket 192 attached to the inner face of wall 98 of housing 96 out of alignment with bracket 188 receives the central part of crank 182 therebetween, with a pivot pin (not shown) being employed to permit pivoting of crank 182 in a manner similar to rotation of cranks 178 and 189 as described above.

An elongated link 194 having a connector 196 at the uppermost end thereof pivotally secured to element 164 by pivot pin 198, also has a bifurcated connector 2% secured to the lowermost end thereof with the opposed, spaced legs of connector 288 receiving leg 202 of crank 178 therebetween, while pivot pin 204 through connector 28-8 and leg 282 of crank 1'78 permits swinging of leg 282 relative to connector 280 and thereby link 194. Link 206 has a bifurcated connector 288 secured thereto receiving leg 21) of crank 178, while the opposite end of link 286 is coupled to horizontally reciprocable plunger 92 of unit 86 by a pin 212 passing through the proximal bifurcated end of plunger 92 of unit 86 as well as link 286.

Means for reciprocating plunger 92 of unit 88 through crank 188 includes an extension 214 projecting laterally from pivot element 186 secured thereto and rotatable with the same about the axis of pin means 108. Bifurcated connector 216 coupled to extension 214 by pivot pin 218 has an elongated link 220 secured to the lowermost end thereof with bifurcated connector 222, releasably coupled to the lowermost end of link 220, being pivotally joined to leg 224 of crank 180 by pin 226 extending through connector 222 as well as leg 224. Link 228 received within the bifurcated proximal extremity of reciprocable plunger- 92 of unit 88 and connected thereto by pivot pin 230 has a bifurcated connector 232 joined to the extremity thereof remote from the corresponding piston rod 92 and coupled to leg 234 of crank 180 by pivot pin 236.

The plunger 92 of unit 90 is actuated through mechanism including link 238 having a bifurcated connector 240 on the uppermost end thereof pivotally joined to element 172 for movement therewith, while the lowermost bifurcated connector 242 receives and is coupled to leg 244 of crank 182 by pivot pin 246 extending through opposed legs of connector 242 as well as the extremity of leg 244 remote from the axis of pivoting thereof. Leg 248 of crank 182 is pivotally joined to plunger 92 of unit 90 by a link 250 received within the bifurcated end of the defined plunger 92, pivotally coupled thereto by pin 252 and with bifurcated connector 254 joined to the end of link 258 remote from unit 90 being pivotally connected to leg 248 at a point intermediate the ends thereof by virtue of pivot pin 256 extending through connector 254 and leg 248.

A flexible, longitudinally corrugated, rectangular sleeve 258, preferably formed of rubber or the like, surrounds links 158 and 160 as well as support 110 and the associated mechanism, to prevent moisture from accumulating on the components during utilization of vehicle 10.

In order to prevent booms 30 and 34 from being swung topositions overbalancing vehicle It) tending to tip the latter, mechanism broadly designated 260 is provided on aerial platform 38 and cooperable with plungers 92 of units 88 and 90 of valve mechanism 84. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, mechanism 260 includes a sup port member 262 spanning the distance between cross members 61' and 61" and secured to the inner surfaces thereof, with U-shaped brackets 264 being secured to the rearwardly facing surface of member 262 and serving as means for mounting a crank 266 by virtue of pivot pin 268 passing through opposed legs of brackets 264 as well as the intermediate section of crank 266. An elongated rock shaft 272 extends through cross member 61' and is rotatably carried by opposed bracket and bearing means 274 mounted on parallel angle brackets 276 extending in perpendicular relationship to cross member 262 and secured to the underface of wall 64. An 'arm 278 connected to shaft 272 adjacent bracket and bearing means 274 and rotatable with shaft 272 is operably coupled to leg 270 of crank 266 by a pair of opposed links 280 joined at corresponding opposed ends thereof to arm. 278 and leg 270 respectively. A pair of additional arms 282 also secured to shaft 272 in radial alignment with arm 278 are positioned adjacent bracket. and bearing means 274, with each of the arms 282 being in direct alignment with a respective plunger 92 of units 88 and 9t]. Rods 267 and 269 coupled to corresponding arms 282 at the extremities thereof by bifurcated connectors 284 and 286, extend toward units 88 and 90. Brackets 271 depending from plate 82, reciprocably receive the opposite end of respective rods 267 and 269 and maintain the latter in direct, proximal alignment with adjacent ends of corresponding plungers 92.

Horizontal cross member 290 has a pair of generally upwardly extending, horizontally spaced members 292 secured to the upper face thereof and receiving a rotatable crank member 294- therebetween. One arm 296 secured to and extending radially from member 294 is joined to a link 298- by connector 386, while another arm 382 projecting radially from member 294 in a direction diiferent'frorn that of arm 296, is disposed to engage 7 a horizontal cross element in spanning relationship to the opposite elongated members of boom 34, as shown in FIG. 2. Connector 306 on the lowermost end of link 298 pivotally joins the latter to leg 388 of crank 266 by pivot pin 310.

Vehicle 10 is particularly adapted for utilization as fire fighting equipment and therefore, a pair of water supply conduits 312 and 314 are secured to booms 30 and 34 respectively in longitudinally extending relationship thereto. Flexible hose 316 coupled to the lowermost end of conduit 312 leads from a source of supply of liquid while flexible, intermediate hose 318 serves to couple the upper end of conduit 312 to the lower extremity of conduit 314. Generally U-shaped conduit 320 carried by platform 38 and extending beneath the same, as shown in FIG. 1, is operably connected to the uppermost end of conduit 314 by rotatable coupling means 322 permitting platform 38 and thereby conduit 320 to rotate relative to boom 34 and conduit 314.

A coupling broadly designated 324 mounted on bracket means 326 on the forward part of aerial platform 38, is adapted to rotate on a vertical axis through rotation of control wheel 328 within the confines of guard rail structure 62. Note that wheel 328 is connected to and rotates about the axis of a horizontal shaft 336 having a worm gear 332 thereon intermeshed with a pinion 334 rotatable about the vertical axis of coupling 324. Nozzle structure 336 operably' coupled to the uppermost end of coupling 324 is rotatable about a horizontal axis by virtue of pinion 338 on nozzle 336 being in meshing engagement with worm 340 on horizontal shaft 342 which is controlled by hand wheel 344 also disposed within guard rail structure 62.

In operation of fire fighting equipment 10, the vehicle is driven to the site of the fire with booms 30 and 34 in the folded positions thereof in generally parallel relationship to ground 14, as best shown in the broken lines in FIG. 1. After vehicle 10 is in proper position, mechanism carried by body 22 is operated to cause telescoped stabilizer units 24 to be extended into engagement With the ground as shown. The fireman then positions himself on aerial platform 38 whereby he can elevate the same to any desired location.

Elevation of platform 38 is elfected by the fireman grasping handgrip 138 of handle 134 and moving the latter in a desired direction. For example, if it is desired to raise aerial platform 38 as boom 34 swings about the axis of connection thereof to boom 30, handgrip 138 is moved upwardly in a substantially vertical direction which thereby causes main section 132 of handle 134 to be pivoted about the axis of rotation of element 128 by virtue of the fact that support 110 coupling element 120 to top wall 102 of housing 96 is nonextensible. As handle 134 pivots about the axis of element 120, link 161) operably joined to component 130 connected to the underside of plate 126 and movable therewith, is shifted in an upward direction. Since link 160 is connected to triangularlyshaped element 172 rotatably mounted on plates 174, it can be seen that link 238 is moved upwardly with link 160 a corresponding distance. As link 238 shifts upwardly, crank 132 is rotated about the axis of pivoting thereof as link 238 acts on arm 244 to shift the latter upwardly, whereby arm 248 of crank 182 is swung toward valve mechanism 84. Movement of arm 248 toward valve mechanism 84 causes link 258 to shift plunger 92 of valve unit 90 toward the left, viewing FIG. 3, and thereby causing hydraulic fluid to be directed into the lower end of cylinder 48 to shift piston rod '52 toward the outermost end of its path of travel. Extension of piston rod 52 causes boom 34 to be swung about the axis of rotation thereof relative to boom 30 and as the uppermost end of piston rod 52 acts on frame 54. The operator may vary the rate of elevation of aerial platform 38 by virtue of the extent to which rod 92 of respective unit 90 is shifted to open the valve forming a part thereof.

Thus, movement of the platform 38 in an upward direction may be controlled at will by virtue of vertical reciprocation of grip 138 and handle 134 therewith along a substantially vertical line of travel and through a predetermined time interval. The upward movement of aerial platform 38 may be discontinued at any desired time by the simple expedient of returning or releasing handle 134 so that the same may reassume the neutral position thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 2. After aerial platform 38 has been moved to a predetermined elevation, the same may be lowered to any desired point by simply moving handgrip 138 and thereby the associated portion of handle 134 downwardly to reverse the action described above and effect shifting movement of plunger 92 of unit in r' the opposite direction thereof, whereby fluid is permitted to flow into the upper part of cylinder 48 (viewing FIG. 1) and causing piston rod 52 to be shifted to the retracted position thereof.

Lower boom 30 may be rotated about the axis of pin means 32 by pushing handgrip 138 and thereby handle 134 forwardly with respect to housing 96 and thereby toward nozzle structure 336. As handle 134 is shifted forwardly, platform 126 is likewise moved forwardly by virtue of component 13'!) mounted thereon being shifted in the direction of movement of handle 134, whereby support is pivoted about the axis of pin means 108 since pivot element 106 as well as element 128 may rotate about respective axes thereof. Rotation of element 186 causes extension 214 to be moved upwardly (viewing FIG. 6) whereby link 2% is likewise shifted in an upward direction and causing crank 180 to be rotated about the axis of pivoting thereof. As leg 224 of crank 180 moves upwardly in response to vertical shifting movement of link 220, leg 234 of crank 18% is moved away from control mechanism 84, thereby causing link 228 to shift plunger 92 of unit 88 toward housing 96. It is to be understood that when plunger 92 of unit 88 is shifted toward the forwardmost part of aerial platform 38, hydraulic fluid is permitted to flow into the lowermost end of cylinder 40, thereby causing piston rod 44 to be extended and swinging boom 38 about the axis of pivot pin 32 and away from body 22 of vehicle 18. Again it is to be noted that the rate of reciprocation of piston rod 44 and thereby pivoting movement of boom 38 is dependent upon the extent to which control handle 134- is moved forwardly, thereby controlling the length of the path of travel of support 158 and link 224). The farther the swing of handle 134 forwardly, the faster hydraulic fluid is permitted to flow into the lower end of cylinder 40.

Lowering of boom 31 to its folded condition as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 1 may be effected by pulling handle 134 backwardly toward the rear end of its path of travel whereby the support 116 and link 2211 are shifted downwardly, thereby moving leg 234 of crank 181) toward unit 88 and causing hydraulic fluid to pass into the upper end of cylinder 48 to shift piston rod 44 toward the innermost end of its path of travel and effecting swinging movement of boom 31 to the lower end of its path of travel.

The entire boom and platform structure 26 may be rotated about a vertical axis through base unit 28 by the simple expediment of shifting grip 138 of handle 134 to either side as segment 136 of handle 134 carrying grip 138 thereon, pivots about an elongated axis through main section 132 of handle 134-.

Swinging of grip 138 to the right, viewing FIG. 4, causes link 140 to be rotated, thereby raising the outermost extremity of link 149 and causing link 158 to be moved therewith, whereby vertical reciprocatory movement is also transferred to link 194 through triangular element 164. Upward reciprocable movement of link 194 swings leg 202 of crank 178 upwardly and thereby causing leg 210 to be shifted toward mechanism 84 and effecting movement of plunger 92 of unit 98 toward the rear part of platform 38 through link 206. Rearward movementof plunger 92 of unit 86 permits hydraulic fluid to pass into the mechanism for rotating booms 30 and 34 in one direction about a vertical axis. Manual swingingmovement of grip 138 of handle .134 through an arc to the left (viewing FIG. 4), causes plunger 92 of unit 90 to be shifted in th'e opposite direction from that set forth above and'thereby causing booms 30 and 34 to be rotated in the other direction of movement thereof;

It is to'be understood'further that swinging of boom 30 and boom 34, as well as rotation thereof about a vertical axis, may be accomplished substantially simultaneously and at varying rates by movement of grip 138 and handle 134 in directions intermediate those specified above and which ar e up anddown, fore and aft, and side to side. 'Ihus, movement, of grip 138 upwardly simultaneously with forward, movement of handle 134 and pivoting of rnain section 132 about the axis of rotation thereof, would cause both of the booms 30 and 34 to be elevated simultaneously with rotation of the same in one direction about a, vertical axis. The rate at which swinging movement. of respective booms would occur or pivoting thereof. about the defined vertical axis would depend upon the extent to which grip 138 and handle 134 were moved in corresponding directions of movement thereof.

Mechanism 260 is provided on aerial platform 38 for preventing booms 30 and 34 from being swung to locations which would overbalance vehicle and tip the same over, nothwithstanding the fact that stabilizing units 24 are in engagement with the ground 14. Whenever either of the plungers 92 of units 88 and 90 are moved rearwardly, viewing FIG. 3, a sufiicient distance to act on and shift rods 267 or 269 in a direction to cause leg 302 of crank member 294 to engage the cross element between the members of boom 34, rods 267 or 269 prevent the specified plunger 92 from being extended further and causing plungers 92 to be shifted toward the neutral positions thereof to prevent swinging movement of booms 30 and 34 beyond predetermined arcs. Rock shaft 272 is pivoted about the axis of rotation thereof in response to reciprocation of rods 267 and 269 under the action of respective plungers 92 and toward walls 68. As rock shaft 272 rotates, the arm 278 thereon is rotated with the same and causing links 280 to be shifted rearwardly, thus rotating crank 266 about pivot pin 268. Rearward movement of links 280 moves crank leg 270 rearwardly and causing circular downward movement of leg 308. Link 298 is pulled downwardly during rotation of crank 266 in a counterclockwise direction viewing FIG. 2, whereby leg 296 of crank member 294 is also moved downwardly and shifting arm 302 upwardly in response to rotation of crank member 294 in a clockwise direction. In the event that boom 34 is in sufiicient parallel relationship to the longitudinal lengths of Walls 68, arm 302 engages the cross element between the elongated members of boom 34 as set forth above, thereby limiting further reciprocable movement of plungers 92 of units 88 and 90 toward the rear portion of aerial platform 38. The effect of engagement of arm 302 with the cross element between the members of boom 34 is to bias plunger 92 of units 88 and 90 toward the neutral positions thereof and thus precluding swinging movement of booms 30 and 34 to positions which would tend to tip vehicle 10 over on the side thereof.

The fireman positioned on aerial platform 38 may direct water from nozzle structure 336 in any desired direction and at a predetermined azimuth by simply operating hand wheels 344 and 328.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. For use with a vehicle having a first boom mounted thereon for pivoting movement on horizontal and vertical axes, a second boom swingably mounted on said first boom at a point remote from the axes of pivoting 38 of the first boom, and separate power units operably coupled to respective first and second booms for independently pivoting the same about said axes of movement thereof, the improvement of which comprises mechanism for controlling operation of said units and includ ing individual control means for each of said units, said control means including movable parts adapted to be operably coupled with said units for actuating corresponding units to pivot respective booms in one direction when the parts are moved in a predetermined direction and for reversing the units to pivot respective booms in the opposite direction when the parts are moved in another direction of movement thereof, a control member adapted to be shiftably mounted on said second boom and movable about horizontally disposed axes in fore and aft, side to side and up and down directions relative to said second boom, and means operably coupling the member to each of said control means for shifting corresponding parts thereof in said directions of movement of the latter, said parts of one of the units adapted to be shiftedin response to fore and aft movement of the member, the parts of another unit adapted to be shifted in response to up and down movement of the member, and the parts of the third unit adapted to be shifted in response to side to side movement of the member.

2. Mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said last mentioned means causes more than one of said parts to be shifted simultaneously when the member is moved in a direction intermediate said first mentioned directions of movement thereof.

3. For use with a vehicle having a first boom mounted thereon for pivoting movement on horizontal and vertical axes, a second boom swingably mounted on said first boom at a point remote from the axes of pivoting of the first boom, and separate, double acting, hydrau lically actuated, power units operably coupled to respective first and second booms for independently pivoting the same about said axes of movement thereof, the improvement of which comprises mechanism for controlling operation of said units and including individual hydraulic control means for each of said units, said control means including reciprocable parts adapted to be operably coupled with said units for controlling flow of hydraulic fluid to opposed ends of said units to pivot respective booms in one direction when the parts are moved toward one end of the path of travel thereof and for reversing the units to pivot respective booms in the opposite direction when the parts are moved toward the opposlte end of the path of travel of the: same, a control member adapted to be shiftably mounted on said second boom and movable fore and aft, side to side and up and down relative to said structure, and means operably coupling the member to each of said control means for shifting corresponding parts thereof in said reciprocable paths of travel thereof, said parts of one of the units being shifted in response to fore and aft movement of the member about a first horizontal axis, the parts of another unit being shifted in response to up and down movement of the member about a second horizontal axis parallel to and spaced from said first horizontal axis, and the parts of the third unit being shifted in response to side to side movement of the member about a third horizontal axis perpendicular to said first and second horizontal axes; and means for enclosing said means for shifting corresponding parts to prevent the accumulation of moisture thereon.

4. Mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein said units are positioned in side-by-side relationship and said parts are shiftable along generally parallel paths of travel.

5. Mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein said enclosing means includes a horizontal plate, there being an upright support swingably secured to .and extending upwardly from said plate, said control member comprising a rod having an elongated, normally horizontally disposed main section, mounting means pivotally securing the outer free end of said main section of said rod for movement about said first and third horizontal axes at the upper end of said support, and link means operably connecting said main section of the rod to said parts of the units for reciprocating said parts in response to pivoting of said member about said horizontal axes at the upper end of the support and about the axis of swinging movement of the support.

6. Mechanism as set forth in claim 5 wherein said mounting means is disposed to permit said main section of the rod to pivot about a first axis coaxial with the longitudinal axis of said main section and about a second axis in perpendicular relationship to said first axis.

7. Mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein is provided linkage means operably interconnecting certain of said parts with said control member and adapted to engage said second boom to prevent swinging movement of the latter past 180 in the direction of swinging movement of the latter relative to said first boom and thereby the vehicle.

8. Mechanism as set forth in claim 7 wherein said linkage means includes link means adapted for engaging said second boom after the latter has swung through a predetermined arc in the direction of swinging movement thereof, and operably connected to said certain parts to preclude further reciprocation thereof in one direction and return the same to neutral positions upon engagement of said link means with said second boom.

9. Mechanism as set forth in claim 8 wherein said certain parts are adapted to be operably coupled to the units controlling swinging movement of the said first and second booms about respective horizontal axes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 550,040 Busha Nov. 19, 1895 1,835,132 Anania Dec. 8, 1931 2,500,815 Gerli et a1. Mar. 14, 1950 2,593,921 Robinson Apr. 22, 1952 2,627,560 Eitel Feb. 3, 1953 2,745,293 Berg May 15, 1956 2,820,372 Edge et al. Jan. 21, 1958 2,877,660 Rush Mar. 17, 1959 2,940,539 Richey June 14, 1960 

